Hay-loader.



No. 845,193. y PATENTED PEB. 26, 1907. C. H. PBLTON.

HAY LOADER. APPLIUATION FILED DB0. 21. 1905.

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No. 845,193. PATENTBD FBB.- 26, 1907 A C. H. PBLTON.

HAY LOADER.

APPLIoATIoN FILED Dmzl. 1905.

7 SHEETS-SHEET z.

Qimmy THE Namus Pllrrsns co., wAsHmaroN, n. l; I

No. 845,193. rPATENTED FEB. 26, 1907.

' C. H. PELTON.

HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED DE.21. 1905.

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v PATENTED FEB. 26, l1907. G. H. PBLIONl HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED DEU. 21. 1905.

Charles /ZPeZ/am.

Witnesses aktozmg PATENTED PEB. 26, 1907.

'0. H.. PBLTON.

HAY LADER. APPLIGATION FILED DB0. 21. 1905.

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THE NaRRls Pstrks ca., wAsHINaTaNVxzjc.

PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907,

c. H. PELTON. HAY LOADER. APPLIOATION FILED DEO.21. 1905.

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I 31 wanlfoz /Zaries )[.Pelzoig T: NaRRls PETERS ca., wAs'HlflcTaN. p. c.

No. 845,193. PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907.

v C. H. PELTON.

HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 21. 1905.

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UNTTEE PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. PELTON, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMAS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

HAY-LOADER.

No. 845,193. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 26, 1907. Application filed December 21, 1905. (Serial No. 292,694.

.To a/ZZ whom it may concern: 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing Be it known that I, CHARLES H. PELTON, the guide with the stop-pin removed andthe a citizen of the United States, residing at crank and guide arranged to produce the 55 Springfield, in the county oi Clark and State movement illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a ot Ohio, have invented certain new and usel View similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the path of ful Improvements in Hay-Loaders, of which l the rake-iingers when the crank is permitted the following is a speciiication, reference beto slide in the lower portion of the guide, the ing had therein to the accompanying drawl machine being stationary and the crank- 6o ings. shaft revolving. Fig. S is a view similar to This invention relates to hay-loaders, and Fig. 6, showing the position of the crank, more particularly to hay-loaders oi that type l guide, and stop-pin when the parts are arwhich employs rakes supported to slide lonl ranged as in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view similar gitudinally at their upper ends, while their to Fig. 5, illustrating the patl of the rakeo 5 lower ends and the rakes proper are caused iingers when the crank is held at the upper to move in an elliptical path by reason of the end oi" the guide and prevented from sliding connection to the rake-bars between their therein, the machine being stationary and upper and lower ends of the cranks ot a the crank-shaft revolving. Fig. 10 is aview crank-shaft, similar to Fig. 6, showing the position of the 7o The object ot the invention is to provide a crank, guide, and stop-pin in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 construction whereby the extent of the rakis a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the path ing action oi the rake-fingers as they move of the rake-fingers when the crank is perforward over the ground and the pressure mitted to slide in the upper portion of the with which they are 'forced downward against guide, the machine being stationary and the 7 5 the ground may be readily regulated and adcrank-shaift revolving. Fig. 12 is a view `iusted so that the rakes may merely touch the similar to Fig. 6, illustrating the arrangement ground at one point of their path, or may bo of the crank, guide, and stop-pin in produccaused to drag over the ground for a relaing the result illustrated in Fig. Il. Fig. 13 tively great distance either without any presis a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the 8o sure at all or with a maximum pressure, or l path of the rake-fingers when the crank is may be made to have the various intermediheld at the lower end of the guide and prei 1 l I ate extents of sweep over the ground and of il vented from sliding therein, the machine pressure against the ground between the two being stationary and the crank-shaft revolvextremes. ing. Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 6, illus- 8 5 To these and other ends my invention consists in certain novel features which I will now proceed to describe and will then particularly point out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l tratmg the position of the crank, guide, and stop-pin in producing the movement illus-4 trated in Fig. 13. Fig. l5 is a detail plan view showing one of the crank-bearings with the two parts thereoil slightly separated. Fig. 9o is a rear elevation of a hay-loader embodying I6 is a detail sectional view taken in a vermyinvention in one form. Fig. 2isaside elei tical plane longitudinally of the machine, Y vation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical secillustrating the connection between the protionalviewtakenlongitudinallyofthemachine tector or gage and the rake-bar; and Fig. through one of the crank-bearings and the 17 is a transverse sectional view taken on a 9 5 guide therefor carried by the rake-bar. Fig. plane corresponding with the plane y y of 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken i, Fig. 16 and looking in the direction of the centrally through the crank-shaft in Fig. 3 in l, arrows. a horizontal plane. Fig. 5 is an illustrative l In the said drawings I have shown my inview in the nature of a side elevation, showvention as applied to a well-known form of io@ ing in dotted lines the path of the rake-teeth hay-loader, although the invention is of when the crank-shaft is revolved and the i course applicable to any loader of the genniachine is stationary, the crank being free l eral type hereinbei'ore specified. to slide the entire length of' the guide. Fig. In the particular loader chosen for purposes of illustration a suitable frame 1, comprising an inclined bed 2, is supported on ground-wheels 3, which by sprocket-gears 4, sprocket-chains 5, and sprocketgears 6 drive a crank-shaft 7, located above the lower end of the inclined bed, across which it extends transversely. Th.s crank-shaft 7 has oppositely-arranged cranks 8, which operate tne rake-bars 9 in the manner hereinafter described. These rake-bars are guded to slide longitudinally at their upper ends in any suitable manner-as, for instance, by guide-rollers 10, traveling on guide-rods 1v1 and connected to the rake-bars 9 by brackets 12.' The cranks 8 being alternately ofl'set on opposite sides of the axis of the crank-shaft 7, the rakes operate alternately in two sets, as is usual in machines of this type. The lower ends of the rake-bars are provided with rake-heads 13, carrying the rake-fingers 14. All of the parts just described may be of any approved construction.

lVIy present invention relates more particularly to the connections between the cranks 8 and rake-bars 9, and since this connection is the same in each instance I will describe the connection between one crank and rake-bar only, it being understood that the same description is equally-applicable to all of these connections.

Each bar is provided on its upper side with a guide 15, preferably in the form of a loop,

having a top cross-piece 16 and parallel sides 17, arranged at right angles to the bar 9, to which they are connected by lugs 18 and bolts 19 or in any other suitable manner. The crank 8 passes through this guide and may be permitted to either slide longitudinally thereof to the extent of the full length of the guide or of a predetermined portion thereof, or may be locked or held against sliding in the guide in different positions with relation to the guide, thereby obtaining the different raking actions, which will be hereinafter described. Preferably, I employ in connection with the guide and crank a bearing 20, in which the crank rotates and which fits the guide and slides therein when permitted to slide. This bearing is preferably made in two similar parts, as shown in detail in Fig. 15, the body being in the form of a square box 21, divided vertically, as indicated at 22, said square box fitting between the side members 17 of the guide and being provided with terminal flanges 23, whi ch embrace the margins of the side members 17 of the guide and prevent lateral deplacement of the bearing. Each bearing is also provided at each end with a flaring mouth 24 to accommodate the adjacent bend of the crankarm, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4.

The means which I prefer to employ for the purpose of controlling the position and extent of movement of the crank relatively to the guide is that shown, consisting of a stop-pin 25, which may be passed through one or the other of a plurality of apertures 1n the guide in such a way as to effect the desiredv result. In the present instance I have shown the guide as provided with two sets of alined apertures in its members 17-one set 26 nearer the upper end of the guide and the other set 27 nearer the lower end of the guide. Their number and location may be varied, however, as well as the number of stop-pins employed. The stop-pin is preferably in the form of a bolt threaded to receive a nut 28, by which it may be secured in position after adjustment.

In operating a hay-loader various conditions of the hay as it lies upon the ground are met, the hay being sometimes in the swath and sometimes in windrows, sometimes light, and sometimes heavy. Where the hay is in the swath and light, a long'sweep over the ground is required with a comparatively small lift of the rakes during the return movement and with little or no pressure beyond what is given by the weight of the rakes and rake-b ars. This condition of affairs is met by arranging the connections between the cranks and rake-b ars in the manner shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the stop-pins being removed and the cranks being free to slide the entire length of the guides. The dotted line in Fig. 5 indicates the path taken by the rakeiingers when the parts are thus adjusted, and it will be seen that when the cranks are in their uppermost position, as shown in Iiig. 6, the rake-bars are suspendedtherefrom by means of the top cross-bars 16 of the guide-loops. As the cranks move downward the rake-bars also move downward until the rake-teeth come into contact with the ground, whereupon the cranks continue their downward movement, sliding downward in the guides without exerting any pressure on the rakebars, and the rakes are drawn forward over the ground with a maximum extent of movement in contact with.l the same, but ywith a pressure due only to the weight of the rakes and bars and the attached parts, which is IOO IIO

sufficient for light raking in the swath. During the return movement of the rakes the lift is relatively low, since they are suspended from the tops of the guides. Assuming on the other hand, that the hay is in windrow and in heavy masses, requiring considerable downward pressure to prevent the rakes from jumping over the hay, as well as an extended sweep over the ground, the parts are adjusted in the manner shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. In other words', the crank is held at the upper end of the guide and prevented from sliding therein by inserting the stop-pin 25 through the upper set of apertures 26, holding the bearing 20 of thev crank between said stop-pin and the top cross-piece 16 of the guide. The path travvbe seen that said path is practically represented by a series of loops, but the relative extent of contact and pressure would remain the same as between the various adl justments illustrated.

In connection with the rake-bars and rakefingers I prefer to employ gages or protectors the rake-iingers along the ground, is effected which prevent their being forced to beat into the soil and save them from too severe strains under a maximum pressure, whereas with the l and breakage. In Figs. 16 and 17 I have arrangement of the parts shown in Iig. 5 there is no pressure at all. If all of the parts f illustrated the mode of connection of one of were rigid, the rake-ngers would describe a these protectors to its rake-bar, it being unperfect ellipse; but the rake-bars are suffiderstood that each rake-bar is provided with ciently resilient to bend between their upper "i a similar device. In this construction, 29 insliding ends and the point where the guides i dicates a flat metal bar or strip secured to are secured to them, thus preventing the the under side of the rake-bar 9 at the lower rake-fingers from being driven into the soil to end thereof by means of bolts 3() and extendany material extent and allowing them to ing downward and rearward from said rakefollow the path indicated by the dotted line bar at an angle, said extension being indiin Fig. 9. rI`his long sweep over the surface cated at 31. It is provided with apertures ofthe ground under a maximum pressure in- 32 to receive a clamping-bolt 33. 34 indisures the gathering up of the hay and its decates the protector or gage proper, which is livery onto the inclined bed of the loader. also a flat metalbar, preferably of steel, of the Intermediate conditions may be met by same width as the bar 29, upon which it fits, different arrangements of the stop-pin. For vits lower end being curved rearwardly, as instance, when the conditions require a relaillustrated at 35, so as to trail and have an tively light pressure and high lift the arrangeextended bearing on the surface of the ment of the parts illustrated in Figs. 7 and r ground, and being resilient. rI `his protector may be employed, the stop-pin being placed is secured in position on the extension 31 by through the upper apertures 26, but above means of the clamping-bolt 33, aided by a the crank and its bearing, so that theselatter clip or saddle-piece 36, having lateral iianges are free to slide to a limited extent in the 37, which extend past and embrace the edges lower portion of the guide. This results, as of both of the parts 31 and 34, thereby holdshown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, in a sorneing said parts in alinement and preventing what short travel of the rake-iingers over the the protector from being moved from suoli surface of the ground with a relatively light alinement. The clamping bolt 33 passes pressure, due to the mere weight of the rakes. through an aperture 33 in the saddle-piece A. somewhat longer travel over the ground or clip 36, an aperture 39 in the part 34, and with a heavier pressure may be obtained by also through any desired one of the pluplacing the stop-pin through the lower aperrality of apertures 32 in the part 31. By tures 27, but below the crank and its bearing, reason of this construction the protector as illustrated in Figs. 1l and 12. In this case may be adjusted so as to extend downward the crank has a limited sliding motion in the to a greater or less extent below the lower end upper portion of the guide. Finally, the crank may be confined to the lower portion of the guide, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14,

eled by the rake-ngers in this case is indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 9, and it will identical with that illustrated in Iig. 5, the difference in action being that the straight portion at the bottom thereof, indicating the travel of contact of the rake-fingers to regulate the It will thus be seen that the with the soil.

of the rake-bar, and thereby serve asa gage IIO by passing the stop-'pin through the lower adjustment of these gages is also a factor in apertures 27, thereby holding the crank-pin l determining the actual position of the rakefingers relatively to the soil when in operation, cooperating in that respect with the means for varying the connections between the cranks and rake-bars.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise details of construction hereinbefore described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, as it is obvious that bearing between said stop-pin and the top of the rake-bar. With the parts thus arranged the rakes will only touch the ground at one period of their elliptical path without any extensive dragging action over the same. It will be understood, of course, that by varying the number and position of the apertures and stop-pins almost any desired pressure and range of sweep over the surface of the ground may be obtained.v

It will be understood, of course, that the several illustrations showing the path of the rake-teeth are based upon the assumption that the machine is standing still and that the crank-shaft is being rotated. In practice when the machine is being drawn along over the surface of the ground the path lower end, and a crank-shaft mounted on would be somewhat different and would be i said frame, in combination with aguide'carto said frame and provided with a rake at its IIS these details may be varied without depart- A ried by the rake-bar between its ends and engaged by a crank of the orankshaft, and means adjustably supported on said bar for regulating the sliding movement of said crank within said guide, substantially as described.

2. In a hay-loader, a frame, a plurality of rakebars mounted to slide at their upper ends relatively to said frame and provided with rakes at their lower ends, and a crankshaft mounted on said frame and provided with a corresponding plurality of cranks', each rake-bar being provided between its ends with a guide engaged by a crank of the crank-shaft, in combination with means adjustably supported on said bar for regulating the sliding movement of said cranks within said guides, substantially as described.

3. In a hay-loader, a frame, a rake-bar mounted to slide at its upper end relatively to said frame and provided with a rake at its lower end, and a crank-shaft mounted on said frame, in combination with a guide carried by the rake-bar between its ends, a bearing fitting said guide and receiving a crank of the crank-shaft, and adjustable means carried by said guide for regulating the sliding movement of said bearing within said guide, substantially as described.

4. In a hay-loader, a frame, a plurality of rake-bars mounted to slide at their upper ends relatively to said frame 'and provided with rakes at their lower ends, and a crankshaft mounted on said frame and provided with a corresponding plurality of cranks, each rake-bar having a guide mounted thereon between its ends, and a bearing fitting said guide and receiving a crank of the crankshaft, in combination with adjustable means carried by said guide for regulating the sliding movement of said bearing within said guide, substantially as described.

5. In a hay-loader, a frame, a rake-bar mounted to slide at its upper end relatively to said frame and provided with a rake at its lower end, and a crank-shaft mounted on said frame, in combination with a guide carried by the rake bar between its ends, through which guide a crank of the crankshaft passes, and a stop-pin adapted to be secured in different positions in said guide to prevent sliding of the crank in the guide, or to limit the extent and location of suoli sliding movement, substantially as described.

6. In a hay-loader, a frame, a rake-bar mounted to slide at its upper end relatively to said frame and provided with a rake at its lower end, and a crank-shaft mounted on said frame, in combination with a guide carried by the rake-bar between its ends, a bearing fitted to slide in said guide, throughwhich bearing a crank of the crank-shaft passes, and a stop-pin adapted to be secured in different positions in the guide to prevent sliding of the bearing relatively to the guide, or to limit the extent and location of suoli sliding movement, substantially as described.

7. In a hay-loader, a frame, a plurality of rake-bars mounted to slide at their upper ends relatively to said frame and provided with rakes at their lower ends, and a crankshaft mounted on said frame and having a corresponding plurality of cranks, each rakebar having between its ends a guide and a bearing fitted to slide therein, said bearin receiving one of the cranks of the crank-shaft, and a stop-pin adapted to be secured in different positions in the guide to prevent sliding movement of said bearing relatively to the guide, or to limit the extent and location of saidV sliding movement, substantially as described.

8. In a hay-loader of the character described, the combination, with a crank-shaft and a rake-bar, of a guide-loop secured to the rake-bar and extending upward therefrom, and a bearing fitted to slide in said guide-loop and receiving a crank of the crank-shaft, said loop being provided with apertures near its upper and lower end respectively, and a stoppin removably fitting said apertures, whereby, when the stop-pin is removed, the bearing is free to slide the entire length of the guide-loop, and whereby, when the stop-pin is inserted in the proper apertures, said bearing may be held stationary either at the top or the bottom of the guide-loop, or may be free to slide either in the upper or lower portion of said guide-loop, substantially as described.

9. In a hay-loader of the character described, the combination, with a crank-shaft, of a rake-bar having a guide-loop thereon, and a bearing to receive a crank of the crankshaft fitting between the arms of the guideloop, having lateral flanges to engage the edges of said arms to prevent lateral displacement and having outwardly-flaring flanges beyond said lateral flanges, and dilvided centrally in a plane parallel with said guide-arms, substantially as described.

10. In a hay-loader, a frame, a rake-bar mounted to slide at its upper end relatively to said frame and provided at its lower end with a rake and with a gage or protector, and a crank-shaft mounted on said frame, in combination with a guide carried by the rake-bar between its ends and engaged by a crank of the crank-shaft, and means adjustably supported on said bar for regulating the sliding movement of said crank within said guide, substantially as described.

l1. In a hay-loader, a frame, a rake-bar mounted to slide at its upper end relatively to said frame and provided at its lower end with a rake, and with a protector or gage adjustable to extend to a greater or less extent below said rake-bar, and a crank-shaft IOC IIO

mounted on said frame, in Combination with VIn testimony whereof I ailix my signature a gluide carried by he-rake-barbetween its 1 in presence of two Witnesses.

en s and engzwed a crank o the crankshaft, and mens aljustebly supported on l, CHARLES H' PELTON' said bar for regulating the sliding movement l Witnesses:

of said Crank Within said guide7 substantially l IRVINE MILLER,

as described. l HARRIET HAMMAKER. 

